I am finally watching this wonderful Pinoy film, thanks to Ronnel, who had dinner together with fellow companny mate Mark and soon-leaving-our-island singer Sammy in my newly arranged apartment.

Speaking of new, this entry is being powered by my sister's new lappie using Windows Vista and Intel Pentium Dual-Core.

BTW, who was your favorite act in the record-breaking Live Earth concert series?

And I'm watching her come out tomorrow.

Waiting for the bus that will take me to Seoul where Christina Aguilera will be perfoming tomorrow.

Great weekend to us all!^^

Wohoo I am back!

If you have been reading this blog, you probably already know that I love films.

So I take it as ah honor to have posted my first video online of one of my favorite filmmakers, Jeffrey Jeturian of the Philippines.

In a crappy dark vid I posted, direk Jeff and his Kubrador star Gina Pareno answers questions from the audience, after screening their movie in last year's Pusan International Film Festival.

Hopefully I get to link the video soon hehe.

Cheers for now and enjoy the Oscars tomorrow!

I am rooting for any Babel girls.^^

cue from moowa another blog game

1. Put your music player on shuffle.
2. Press forward for each question.
3. Use the song title as the answer to the question even if it doesn't make sense. NO CHEATING!



1) How are you feeling today?
  

Lightning Crashes by LIVE...quite true since its raining now 

2) Will you get far in life?

Analyse by THE CRANBERRIES...guess I need to do some brain stretching




3) How do your friends see you?

Amazing Grace by LEANNE RIMES...i was once lost and now am find hehe

4) Will you get married?

Stay by CUESHE...we only have one shot at destiny...does this mean stay single or stay in love with the old heart?

5) What is your best friend's theme song?

Larger than Life by BSB...matataba kse bestfriends ko

6) What is the story of your life?

Sexual Healing by MARVIN GAYE...LOL 3 times


7) What is high school like?

Better on Holidays by FRANZ FERDINAND...hmm this is more like these days


8) How can you get ahead in life?

Maria Elena by MICHAEL BUBLE..whoa!


9) What is the best thing about your friends?

Follow Through by GAVIN DE GRAW...you like to follow through with every word you say...haha they the best when they just follow through


10) What is today going to be like?

AnotherTime, Another Place by U2...need i say more?


11) What is in store for this weekend?

All I Want This Christmas Is You by NSYNC...it's been a long year and somehow we survive...half year more!

12) What song describes you?

Part Of Your World from THE LITTLE MERMAID...lol

13) To describe your grandparents?

I'll Take You There by KANYE WEST...wag po muna, bata pa ako


14) How is your life going?

In The Jail House Now by WILLIE NELSON & WEBB PIERCE...so that could be my room, my office cubicle, or Korea hehehe

15) What song will they play at your funeral?

Hurt by NIN..how appropriate..this is a slow sad song


16) How does the world see you? 

In My Life by THE BEATLES...i'll often stop and think about them.


17) Will you have a happy life?

Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now) by PHIL COLLINS...wag naman

18) What do your friends really think of you?

Even Better Than The Real Thing by U2... lest you forget, they first said Amazing Grace

19) Do people secretly lust after you?

Basketcase performed live by AVRIL LAVIGNE...so that's why I need Sexual Healing

20) How can I make myself happy?

Here With Me performed by SARAH BRIGHTMAN...I can do what I want..single blessedness ba talaga to, how bout Maria Elena?


 21) What should you do with your life?

Throwback by USHER...throwback to the sea??!!

22) Will you ever have children?

Constantly performed live by NINA...lol wag naman

Random is cool.^^

"When Superman wakes up in the morning, he's Superman...Clark Kent is how Superman views us..he's weak, he's unsure of himself, he's a coward. Clark Kent is Superman's critique of the human race" _Kill Bill: Volume 2

WOHOO! Thanks to a lazy rainy Saturday afternoon, I'm back!

Superman Returns is an eyecandy: cool flying scenes, cheesy lines. Batman Begins and Daredevil gets plus for their storytelling.

Now let's move to music.

Heard bout Michael V's version of Narda? He turned to Mamaw in Bubble Gang. And boy they did a great job.

And more music this month: presenting my mp3playlist for July aka this week's top 3 cd's bought in iTunes. Yay i downloaded them for free via torrents:

3. Nelly Furtado's Loose

2. Keane's Under the Iron Sea --can you imagine this??

1. Dashboard Confessional's Dusk and Summer

Summer 2006, I am ready for you!

I will be in the Korean from today until Sunday!

If anyone wants to meet up with me, you got my number: 01048701978.

Yay, shameless self-plug. ^^

This is becoming my Labor Day tradition.

A couple of good films so far (My Brother is A Dog & Quenceternea) and more later.

May everyone have a great May!

Music really connects people- Tito Mon David

Yesterday, I celebrated my 28^th birthday. E-mail greetings flowed like wine (go imagine) (thank yall!), one of them came from Tito Mon David, the grand prize winner of the first London International Jazz Competition:

Hi egai!!!

Wishing you the wackiest and happiest bday!!!

More happiness, sucess and love!!!

From tjoy, det, dong, syd and bing, and tito mon.

Gee. And I have yet to meet the guy. ,) Tjoy, Det, Dong, and Bing are my university friends, they are the real relatives of Tito Mon. Slight disgression: I am also yet to meet rocking Syd, who will celebrate her very first birth anniversary on the 29^th in Pampanga. Her mom is Det and her birthday is TODAY! Happy birthday Berns! Musta ke Sandara ,)

Going back to business, last March 22, Tito Mon won the prestigious prize in London. Now, March 22 is declared by the Pampanga provincial government as Kapampangan Artists Day, as a fitting tribute to David and other Kapampangan artists.

Heres the most article that popped up in the Inquirer today:

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- FILIPINOS in London boosted the confidence of singer Mon David to emerge as grand champion in the recent London International Jazz Competition.

David cannot seem to thank them enough: It was overwhelming. Up till the finals, they were nakatutok (keenly observing) including my batch mates (Pampanga High School Class 70), Ambassador Edgardo Espiritu and his staff.

Speaking to the Inquirer after a tribute by the provincial government and cultural groups in his home province, David added, The glow on their faces while I performed was a big factor in my triumph. At no point did he feel he was in a foreign land, competing against 106 singers from 27 countries, he said.

Coming home to the big welcome on Monday, it was obvious the 52-year-old vocalist had not shaken off the joy from that euphoric bonding with compatriots. It was clear, David said, that he was in the tilt less for himself than for his country.

Single obstacle

The only obstacle, if it could be called that, he said, was the cold weather.

Both the judges and his co-finalists had given the Filipino contender high ratings.

One told me it was my focus on the lyrics that gave me the edge, David recounted. Another said it was my confidence.

He credited his long years of experience as a performer in the Philippines. Musically and technically, he said, all the finalists were very good.

Also on Monday, President Macapagal-Arroyo officially congratulated David for the well-deserved triumph.

In a letter sent through the Center for Kapampangan Studies of the Holy Angel University, the President cited Davids tireless advocacy to promote Filipino culture.

Ms Arroyo urged him to to continue to win the hearts of music enthusiasts here and abroad as you represent the best that the Filipino can be, and continue to do the Philippines proud as you share your gift of song with the rest of the world.

Truly Kapampangan

David, a native of Sto. Tomas town, has recorded Kapampangan songs. The Pampanga anthem, Himno ning Kapampangan and the pop ditty Kapampangan Ku are two of his signature songs.

To David, the London stint validated a belief he had long held about music. In a jazz bar one evening, some British students asked me to sing a song in my native tongue. I did Abe Mu Ku (I Am with You). The language was of course strange to them, yet we managed to transcend that barrier. Music really connects people.

TO ALL WHO HAVE BEEN PART OF MY 28 YEARS (SO FAR), THANKS A LOT! KAMSA HAMNIDA! KEEP ROCKING! KEEP JAZZING! KNOWING YOU CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON ME, FOR SURE..

CHEERS TO THE NEXT 28 YEARS!

FIRST heard Mon David sing live some years ago at a jazz festival in the Galleria mall. A series of jazz artists was scheduled to perform there that month, and Mon appeared with the group that included Cooky Chua with Affinity, Mishka Adams with the Blue Echoes, and several others. I had heard Mon sing before, of course, on CD. But I wasn't quite prepared for the real thing.

Mon sang "Nature Boy" and a couple of other songs. "Nature Boy," written by E. Ahbez, was originally sung by Nat King Cole but was popularized by the movie "Moulin Rouge," which had just played to local movie houses a year or so before. It's the song where you find the lines, "The greatest thing you'll ever learn/ Is just to love and be loved in return."

Mon sang it with remarkable silkiness and depth, his voice breezing past the highs and lows like a bird winging blithely through the gullies and hills of a shimmering landscape. You knew you were in the presence of talent.

That is not so easy

to say in a country teeming with talent, or indeed with musical geniuses. "Genius" is not a word I am using too loosely here, especially so in a festival that showcased it in all its resplendence. With Mon, as with other musicians who have mastered their craft, you are no longer looking at virtuosity -- they are past that. You are looking at artistry. You are looking at, or hearing, something that goes beyond the instrument they are playing, whether that is keyboard, or strings, or voice. There is a point at which the instruments begin to act independently of their players, becoming incantations that allow music to leap to life and bedazzle us.

I remembered this after I read on our front page last week that Mon had won the London International Jazz Competitions last week. I know only as much of the details as the other readers of our newspapers; he won't be back till next week. He opened with a few bars of an ethnic tune, shifted a cappella to "Nature Boy," and went to sing "Someone to Watch Over Me" and "Lullaby of Birdland." Mon himself would say later, "I was in a trance." A feeling all true artists know whatever the profession. Which includes sports: Basketball players themselves talk of being "in the zone," a reference to the Twilight Zone, where strange and often magical things happen. At one point, Mon said, he knew he had connected with the audience, and the music, or muse, which or who are one and the same thing, just took over.

What can I say? I wasn't all that surprised it happened. With talent like that, you knew Mon was going places. Our common friends would later tell me he is living proof of Edison's aphorism that genius is 99 percent perspiration and 1 percent inspiration. He believes in hard work, and buckles down to it every day. You can't find someone with more discipline, a friend tells me. At 52, he's still trying earnestly to learn, he's still trying to get a crack at perfection. Of course, few of his friends will agree the inspiration is just 1 percent. Sheer industry doesn't always do the trick.

On top of everything, it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. A well-known and respected fixture in the jazz landscape, having played practically all the jazz joints in this country, Mon is one of the most laid-back and unassuming creatures you can hope to find. To say that he does not announce his presence with trumpets is to understate things. He hovers in the background, is quick to smile, and presses his conversation gently. There must be something to that Biblical story about the exalted being humbled, and the humble exalted. I'm happy for him.

And for the countless other musicians of this country whose stock has suddenly increased by leaps and bounds, with, I can only hope, the most salutary effects on their livelihood. I'm especially happy that Mon did well in a jazz competition, recognition in that one field of music having eluded us thus far. We already have a Cecile Licad in classical music, a Lea Salonga in musical theater, and countless divas in pop songs, all storming their world with their abilities. It's time we had someone doing that for jazz. If I know Mon, he would be first to balk at being put in the same class as Licad and Salonga, but what the heck, he deserves it. As do some of the truly brilliant jazz artists in our midst, who are barely able to eke out a living playing their kind of music.

There are too many of them, but some of those I do know who easily qualify in that class (my monumental apologies to those I do not know) are Tots Tolentino, who plays magnificent sax, Joey Quirino, Butch Saulog, Ria Villena Osorio, keyboard players all (Ria, a music grad from the University of the Philippines, is a prodigious composer as well as player; I saw her recital last year which featured her compositions from ethnic to jazz to classical, and she's only in her middle 20s!), Aya Yuson, Johnny Alegre, Mike Villegas and the great Noli Aurillo, guitar players all (I once heard Noli play the entire orchestral arrangement of Paul McCartney's "Live and Let Die" on solo guitar!), Colby de la Calzada, Dondi Ledesma, Simon Tan, Louis Talan, bass players, and Koko Bermejo who plays drums with a frown of concentration on most of these bands and poses puzzles and musical quizzes with a smile of delectation afterward.

It just breaks the heart to see them play to half-empty (and that would be lucky!) jazz joints, which themselves are disappearing faster than the musicians can play their notes. I can only hope Mon David's breakthrough will spark a resurgence of sorts, awaken interest in the kind of music they play, break the carapace of indifference or even hostility to music that actually asks the listener to listen.

Strange and magical things do happen in the zone.

"The human voice is the most expressive of all musical instruments. It hasn't been maximized by vocalists yet, that's all!" Mon David, world class jazz artist & Filipino

Last week, my good college friends' uncle bagged the plum prize in the first London International Jazz Competition, beating 107 participants from over 25 countries who entered this competition.

The final of the first London International Jazz Competition was held at the Cadogan Hall, Sloane Terrace, London SW1, on Wednesday 23rd March, 2006. The final was a wonderful event with exceptional performances from all six finalists, which made it very difficult for the judges to chose a winner. 

Being the first, it was restricted to vocalists only, to facilitate a slightly easier learning curve for the organisers and sponsors (as if any project of this nature can be termed 'easy')

The award of LIJC Vocalist 2006 went to Mon David from the Philippines. He outdid Dan Barnett and Karlie Bruce of Australia, Torsten Goods of Germany, and Heidi Martin and Alison Wedding (who won The Gibson-May Award for most impressive performance of an individual song for her rendition of 'We'll Be Together Again' in the semi-final) of the United States.Throughout the evening they were accompanied by three of the best jazz musicians in the UK, Peter Churchill (piano and MD), Jeff Clyne (bass), and Trevor Tomkins (drums). They performed over and above the call of duty adapting to the differing styles of the vocalists.

The jury, who had the very difficult task of selecting a winner, consisted of Alan Barnes (who acted as compere and is also an eloquent reedsman in his own right), Tina May (a very successful vocalist herself), Lee Gibson (professor for jazz and vocalist), Ian Shaw (the UK's top male jazz vocalist), Adam Sieff (Jazz Consultant, Sony), Peter Churchill (as described), and finally but not least, Ursula Walewski (Music Teacher and MD Mehr Clef).

The finalists were scored on intonation, jazz vocal sound, time feel, interpretation and phrasing, innovation concept, improvisation and convincing stage presence.

Earl Orkin provided a very polished set of originals and blues in his unique vocal and guitar style, whilst the winner was being chosen.

After much deliberation they chose Mon David, who thoroughly deserved the award. His range, tone, and interpretation of the lyrics in both standards and blues, plus his communication with the audience, clinched the moment.

Confirming on Thursday news of his winning, David told his friends in Pampanga that in his spiel, he shared his "amazement at how music can transcend borders and cultural differences, how it can bring people together, how it can truly set us free."

Said David's 19-year-old daughter Nikki: "We were asking him if he had felt like he won it after he performed. He said he knew he had connected with the audience and with his band. He was able to get them hooked from the beginning. He wasn't consumed by nervousness and anxiety because he really enjoyed performing. At a certain point, he said he was in a trance."

The 52-year-old native of Pampanga province began his performance at the finals-held at the Cadogan Hall in London's Sloane Square-with a few bars of an ethnic chant, singing a cappella the first lines of "Nature Boy," and then crooning "My One and Only Love" and "Lullaby of Birdland

As LIJC Jazz Vocalist 2006, David will receive 1,000 euros (nearly P90,000) and take on engagements at the Jagz in Ascot and the 606 Club in Chelsea.

David was the only Asian among the 12 who made it to the finals. (At the March 18 semifinals, he sang "Waltz for Debby," "No More Blues" and "Skylark.")

The LIJC said the contenders from Britain, Armenia, Austria, Australia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and the United States were of "an exceptionally high and professional standard."

So, who is Tito Mon?

Tito Mon is one of the finest jazz singers in the Philippine music scene. He is in the league of jazz greats Jacqui Magno, Richard Merk, Ray-Ann Fuentes, Tillie Moreno. All but Richard are hardly seen in the entertainment circuit today. Richard is playing jazz godfather to very promising singer Isabella, Kuh Ledesma's daughter.

He is one versatile artist whose talent knows no boundaries. Mon is recognized in the industry not only as a singer but as a songwriter, musician, record producer and teacher.

Mon used to be a drummer and vocal coach of the APO Hiking Society. He also co-produced one of APO's albums, Mga Kwento ng Apo.

Tito Mon was launched as a solo artist via the concert Out of the Shadows. He came out with his first album, "Salamat Sa Mga Alaala," made up mostly of pop selections

He has earned music awards from Katha and the Catholic Mass Media Awards. His sophomore album, entitled "Soulytude", won five major awards from the seventh Katha Awards namely: Best R and B Vocal Performance for You're The Love of My Heart, Best Latin Vocal Performance for After the Rain, Best Latin Composition for After the Rain, Best Traditional Composition for Hanggang Saan Hanggang Kailan, Best Traditional Vocal Performance for Mananatiling Mahal.

Together with Dyords Javier, Pinky Marquez and Isay Alvarez, he formed a group called Ang Fourgettables. Much later, Mon left the versatile group to pursue his interest in arrangement and composition.

He believes that the human voice is the first musical instrument. This is one reason why he has a special interest in the a capella approach to singing. He is a fan of Bobby McFerrin, who can entertain an audience for three hours with only the power and flexibility of his voice. He has also been greatly impressed by pianists Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett.

Mon believes that singers should listen to instrumentalists like Evans and Jarrett for phrasing, interpretation and possible nuances. Many vocalists are often limited when they become lyric and music-dependent.

A true blue Kapampangan, Mon has a compilation of Kapampangan folk songs entitled Abe Mu Ku. He is also one of the artists featured in Pamalsinta Quing Milabas (Romancing the Past), a compilation of Kapampangan classics. He has been awarded the Most Outstanding Kapampangan in the Field of Arts, Culture and Music by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Pampanga, where he supported the revival of folk songs recorded in musical compact discs by the Crissot Foundation, ArtiSta Rita Foundation and the center, and their inclusion in his recordings and concerts.

Mon has jammed with the best, like David Benoit, Eric Marienthal, Peter White, Bonby James and Bobby Enriquez.

Tito Mon's latest CD is Life and Times, released just before he went for glory in London. Two cuts, both attached to this email, received nominations from the 19th Awit Awards, the Philippine Grammies: Best Jazz Recording (for his carrier single 'Let Go') and Best Vocal Arrangement (for 'Atin Ku Pung Singsing).

He is due to return to the Philippines this Wednesday and is expected to get a grand welcome

As a result of this competition, CANDID Records, through its company in Manila will be recording Mon David's album in the summer and promoting it world-wide. 

Sources

www.inq7.net

Boy Abunda

www.londoninternationaljazz.com

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=9316

www.candidrecords.com.ph

Sample Music/E-mail

mondavid.i.ph (Tito Mon's personal page and contains a link to a couple of his tunes)

mdmusicp@yahoo.com

Internet diaries

By Debbie Pepito and Dave Llorito
Research Staff

Try opening www.mindovervagina.blogspot.com, scroll a few pages down to her January 22, 2006 post and you will see a picture of a woman with her nipple protruding through the slit of the cup of her black brassiere. She asks, "Tell me why I hate Mondays?"

Click on the comments box below the post and you will see reactions from readers: "Because your bra ripped," wrote an anonymous comment. "Hmmm... this is my first time to read a Pinay blog of this type. C'est intéressant!" wrote another anonymous reader. "It's a day after Sunday, when one is forced to return to the weekly routine after a weekend of deserved rest or fun or sexual romp," wrote another. If you are one of those who spend a lot of time on-line, reading these very personal and sometimes racy journals and posting ones yourself, then you belong to a growing number of people hooked on blogging.

Academics call it mediated exhibitionism. Others call it empowerment and freedom of speech. Still others simply call it entertainment.

Media since the late 1990s have been characterized by the continuous blurring of the boundaries between public and private. In television, this was evident in the popularity of reality TV. What was deemed scandalous or inappropriate a decade before is now accepted and even expected in the name of free speech. This "culture of self-disclosure" is especially showing up on the Internet.

"On personal home pages and message boards, in chat rooms and on listservs, and most especially in blogs, people are sharing unprecedented amounts of personal information with total strangers, potentially millions of them," said North Carolina State University researchers Carolyn Miller and Dawn Shepherd.

What are blogs?

Blogs, short for web logs, are simplified web sites. Part of its appeal is that unlike web sites, it does not require knowledge of html or other web-authoring language in order to build one. You only need to create an account with any blog hosting site like www.blogger.com and start typing. Hence, what used to be the province of geeks and hard-core techies is now fair game for anyone who has something to say.

A blog typically has items posted on a regular basis and displayed in reverse chronological order. It has text, images and links to other web pages as well as to video, audio and other files. Blogs are usually conversational and focus on an area of interest such as politics, movies, cooking, gardening, sex, among many others. There are no statistics right now on Filipino bloggers but anecdotal evidence indicates that more and more people are hooked on it.

Most blogs discuss personal experiences. According to The Cath, a US-based Filipina blogger, in her blog entitled "Now What, Cat?", around 76 percent of Philippine-based blogs in the Top 100 Blogs ranked by Technorati, an Internet search engine for blogs, belong to this category. Whether it's the illusion of anonymity afforded by cyberspace or simply the need to be heard, most bloggers don't have qualms about publishing their very private and sometimes crazy thoughts on-line.

"Oh yes, I also exhibit myself, not new. I've crossed my exhibitionist barrier in Yahoo Messenger where I strip for lots of random people. Lately, I've penetrated Pinoys and Pinays like me who are also offering whatever it is I'm offering, and have actually encountered someone I know. Should I be open with my life or is that living dangerously? Now that I have a community? Pinoys aren't Pinoys unless they reach out in a personal way with their hearths and hearts," wrote Mindovervaginawoman in her February 18, 2006 post.

"You blog because you want people to read what you post. Otherwise, why blog at all?" says Vlad, an avid user who maintains two sites-one for personal reflections and the other for his thoughts on technology and politics.

Venues for discussion

Some do it to clarify what they want to do with their life. Roseraven, for instance, writes about her day-to-day experiences, viewpoints and her quarter-life crisis: "A couple of months after I started working, I was asking myself whether or not I'm happy with where I am right now-if I took the right degree, if I liked my job and if I can see myself doing it until I retire. It [blogging] helped me know more about myself and explore new horizons. I tend to dwell on my ideas when I write so they become more concrete."

Vlad, on the other hand, believes blogs are potentially good venues for discussion. "There is a chance for interaction and reaction. In effect, a blog entry is basically a forum topic, where anyone can react."

The comments field creates a sense of community where one feels valued as opinions are validated or rejected but more importantly, acknowledged.

"Blogs are opinions and thoughts of ordinary people on different things or events which I may be able to relate to, being an ordinary person myself. You can comment openly or think more about the topic at hand," explains Archie, a call-center agent.

He adds that this is something he cannot do for traditional news articles, which simply state the facts and he feels leave little room for argument. "There's a certain finality to it [news articles] kasi alam mo na 'yung nakasulat du'n ay researched or pinag-aralan which leaves you very little space to think on your own [There's a finality to news articles because you know what's written are researched or studied which leaves you very little space to think on your own]."

Reaching out to people

In the tradition of chat rooms and on-line dating, blogs are also a way of meeting other people.

"I started blogging after college. Curiosity got me started and the thought of meeting new people felt like life opened a new door for me," admits Jovi, a technical writer for an IT company.

Egai, a Filipino engineer based in Korea , relates how he met a fellow OFW in South Korea through his blog in MySpace. He got bored and so searched for other Filipinos in South Korea who had similar accounts. "I found hers and read through her blogs. She seemed nice then we met up-eyeball-and the rest is history."

When asked what was so appealing about reading other people's blogs, Egai laughingly points out that people are naturally nosy. "People are generally voyeuristic and tsismoso [gossips]-I think it's the drive for knowledge."

For other OFWs, blogs are a more convenient and less expensive way to update friends and family back home. "I blog when I have good news, o kaya I wanna share some pics-things I normally wanna share agad sa tropa. Since medyo hassle 'yung tawagan ko pa sila isa isa, lalo na 'yung andyan sa Pinas, I blog it na lang [I blog when I have good news or if I want to share some pictures-things I normally want my friends to know right away. It's a hassle to call them one by one, especially those who are there in the Philippines , so I blog them instead]," says Osang, a Filipina working in Dubai .

Going into the mainstream

Blogs have become so ubiquitous that they have captured the attention of mainstream media. Journalists and major news organizations are joining the bandwagon seeing the blog's potential to reach a wider, more responsive audience.

"Because access to the Internet is growing, blogs are potentially going to be a major source of information in the Philippines . Globally, especially in developed countries, it's already a major source of information," observes Professor Luis Teodoro of the University of the Philippines .

Last year, blogs started to make a mark in the Philippine political scene. Dubbed as the year of Filipino blogs, 2005 saw the emergence of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism's blog, which was instrumental in the exposure of the "Hello, Garci" scandal. Full recordings of the audiotapes along with supporting documents were made available from the site.

Shortly after, Sun Star Chronicles came up with its Citizen Watch blog, which encouraged readers to post articles rather than just comments following the developments involving President Arroyo.

Politically, blogs could also be a forum to tackle issues where mainstream media chose to keep mum. Lately, Philippine Commentary, a blog by Dean Jorge Bocobo, is getting a lot of attention for his well-thought out commentaries on the issues related to the Danish cartoons that inflamed the Muslim world. While, the mainstream media stood silent on the issue probably for fear of a violent backlash, Bocobo expressed support for Flemming Rose, the editor of the Jyllands-Posten, who published the 12 cartoons, and attacked the Philippine Daily Inquirer for its supposed advocacy of the "separation of the Church and Press."

Bocobo in his February 19 post ruminates: "When a taboo on idolatry produces a far more virulent and violent reaction over Danish cartoons than the Bali Bombings, or Zarqawi's wedding blood feasts in Jordan , it would seem they [mainstream media] could do with a little quiet reflection and criticism from journalists. Not fear and appeasement alone though, are what motivate the religious editors of PDI. It is a desire to protect the rights of dominant religions in local habitats. The members of the Roman Catholic upper crust in the Philippines who basically control media and education, are sensitive and respectful and understanding toward the Islamist rage over the cartoons because both are protecting the current practices of religions [Islam and Roman Catholicism] that were imperial theocracies but today must bow to common democracy, which demotes religion from the status of wielding state power to that of 'mere' form of free speech and expression. I have advanced the theory that what we have here is the 'intolerant urging tolerance for other intolerants.'"

Straddling print and broadcast?

"Blogs have the advantage of both print and broadcasting," says Teodoro. If done properly, it can be speedy but not sacrifice accuracy.

However, the former dean of the UP College of Mass Communication laments the fact that the blogosphere, like most Internet-based media, has no set standards.

"Ang problema ko diyan is that walang way of self regulation [What I don't like about it is that there's no way of self regulation]. There's no authority that tries to establish standards," he said.

Thus, information from blogs can be suspect. He stresses that while bloggers can be journalists and vice versa, both still have to adhere to the standards of journalism if blogs are to be vehicles of empowerment and contribute to healthy debate.

Whether or not blogs will ultimately bridge the gap between traditional news media and its audience remains to be seen. But the fact remains that Filipinos are getting into it with gusto.

"You make something easy enough and people will flock," says Chris, a confessed techie and writer.

The tension between public and private will continue to rage as technology churns out new forms of communication. Perhaps, for most Filipinos, the following post by Mindovervaginawonam sums up their blogging experience:

"I am a writer at heart, a writer with an exhibitionist streak and hopefully not the other way around. I don't come in search of friends or lovers or enemies. Everything here is carved to point toward things universal, where I am nothing but a speck of dust in. Writing is reaching out enough; comment boxes are the only things open."

I was able to watch the Grammys only last weekend, just a day before the Oscars.

This month's playlist includes music inspired by both award shows and a CD that is currently outselling everyone else these days.

Here are the tunes:

Ne-Yo's CD

Walk The Line OST

U2's How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb CD

John Legend Used To Love You

                     So High

                     Ordinary People

                     Number One (Feat Kanye West)

                     I Can Change (Feat Snoop Dogg)

                     Waiting On You (Feat Cons and Miri Ben Ari)

                     Don't You Worry Bout A Thing

Talib Kweli Feat John Legend Around My Way

Kelly Clarkson Because Of You

                        Behind These Hazel Eyes

                        Since U Been Gone (Live from VH1)

Jay Z & Linkin Park Numb/Encore

Josh Groban & Beyonce Believe

Mariah Carey Shake It Off

                        Mine Again

                       We Belong Together

                       It's Like That

Stereophonics Maybe Tomorrow

Finally. An entry I was able to finish.

2 awards. 2 Oscar winning movies. 3 CDs. 62 files.

Enjoy the music and movies everyone! Hope to share more of pop culture soon...

Now all I have to wait is for John Mayer Trio's CD download to finish...Yawn..^^

Tons of work, travelling and TV shows barred me from finishing my previous list. Hope I get to finish this all-new list. Well some of the songs maybe a year old, or the artists are more than a year already in the business, but got only recognized this year by the American Grammie (coming up this week).

Here goes..

Keane Hopes & Fears CD

           This  Is The Last Time

John Legend (Feat. Kanye West) Number One

John Legend (Feat. Snoop Dogg) I Can Change

John Legend So High

                   Ordinary People

                   Used To Love You

Ciara Next To You

Ciara (Feat. Ludacris) Oh

Ciara (Feat. Missy Elliot) 1 2 Step (Funky Mix)

Fall Out Boy Dance, Dance

                     Where Is Your Boy

                     Saturday

                     Homesick At Space Camp

                     Sending Postcards From A Plane Crash

                     Chicago Is So Two Years Ago

                      The Pros & Cons Of Breathing

                      Calm Before The Storm

                      Reinventing The Wheel To Run Myself Over

                      My Heart Is The Worst Kind Of Weapon

Common (Feat. John Legend & Bilal) Faithful

Gorillaz Feel Good Inc.

Talib Kweli (Feat. John Legend) Around My Way

Foo Fighters (Feat. Norah Jones) Virginia Moon

Sugarland Boys Because Of Who You Are

                         My Sacrifice

at least 9 more tunes coming up...